Anyone else get a place in the October London Marathon?

[Hotcuppatea]

I finally, after years of trying, got a place in the ballot! Hooray!

There's roughly about 6 months to go. I usually go for one or two runs a week. Between 5-7k. I ran a 10miler a year and a half ago in 1:46. So, am not totally unfit, but will need to follow a proper plan fo make it round the course.

What training plans are you guys following? When will you start? What about nutrition?

The charity I was running for last year have emailed to say I can have their deferred place for this year. Paperwork still going through, but I’m in!!

I broke my foot last year, lost a lot of fitness and am still rather too one-sided.

Aim for next two months is to run for fun, and do lots on online general fitness classes over the next two months

Then proper 6 month training plan - probably a mash up of the CRUK intermediate one (which I like because it’s about time on feet, not mileage) and the one VLM itself publishes

I’ve entered a few events (10k and half) and need to add some more - and cross fingers that at least some will be real, not virtual, events

I’m not convinced that VLM in October is a realistic prospect - it’s such a massive event. But I’m going to train as-if, because I lost so much fitness last year and I’d like it back!

No place for me but I ran it in 2015 on a ballot place and 2018 on a charity place

I hope there will be the same atmosphere and support for you. It’s an amazing day

I’m missing all the organised running events!

Parkrun is a massive loss

I'm keeping everything crossed that it goes ahead. But even if it doesn't, I'm assuming I'd get a deferred place for the year after anyway so either way, I'm hopefully going to be running it in the next two years

I've volunteered at the start and finish for quite a few years and its such an emotional experience. I can't believe my luck that I'm going to be able to take part myself.

I'm in too! My first marathon, I always said I wanted to do London because I live in London. I did a half a few years ago so need to start my training. Pacing its always my challenge, so I've just bought a Garmin forerunner 45 plus from Argos.

It's a good way to get the covid lungs into shape!

Well done everyone. Congrats!

I didn't get a place but tbh I'm relieved as I have so many other events postponed from last year I wouldn't have been able to do it justice. Good luck with the training.

I got a ballot place on my second try. I had forgotten I'd applied so it came as quite a surprise.

It's my first marathon and at 52 could be my last. I'm doing a half marathon in April so am just concentrating on that for now. I can run 10k without too much difficulty at the moment so need to double that for April and then I have five months to double that

I won't be breaking any speed records. About 13 years ago I did a half in 2h11 and I haven't got any faster since then!

That sounds like a great speed @AnnPerkins. I'm going to be happy just to finish and if I can stay ahead of the 5hr pacer, that"s even better.

I'm off for an easy paced 7km in an hour and am going to focus on getting my warm up and cool down/stretching right.

Charity place for me! It’ll be my first marathon, and if it goes ahead in October will be when I turn 60.

I’ve done 2 half marathons, and was a regular park runner, so I kinda know what I’ve let myself in for, but I’m a bit intimidated.

Due to one thing and another I haven’t run a step since I got the place.

I’m doing the virtual Royal Parks half on 11th April so I’m jumping into week 5 of the BUPA beginners half marathon plan starting tomorrow. This means a 7mile long run next Sunday which I feel reasonably confident about.

I need to enter some more races, hopefully real life ones rather than virtual.

Hope everyone else has got off to a good start with their training.

I didn't get a London place but I'm doing another marathon in October instead. Haven't started training yet though; just ticking over for now...

No. 6th year running of applying through the the ballot and failing
I turn 40 this year and had always said I’d get a charity place and fundraise if I didn’t get in this year but I don’t think there will be much appetite for fundraising this year so I’ll just try again next year and stick to trail marathons again!

Well! I just got an email from my running club to say I’ve got a place from the club ballot!
So I’d better start training! So excited

I had a 2020 charity place and have been deferred, so starting training again after a nasty bout of covid last year. I'm slow, but determined to get round!

I've been doing a long Sunday run, will be doing 10 km tomorrow, then the Vitality virtual 10k at the end of the month.